Nutrition News

Last week I contacted a nutritionist to get more information about what runners should be eating. The details provided were really interesting, a lot of it was common sense but some times you need someone else to say it before you pay attention.

All of the information was very general so it’s ok for me to share it here…

The first piece of advice, and this won’t shock anyone, is to eat your greens! Vegetables can help to strengthen your bones, so they are a vital food for runners. Broccoli, spinach and kale will provide you with the best results as they are packed with iron which boosts collagen and fends off wrinkles as well as strengthening your bones. For the best results eat your greens raw or lightly stemmed.

If you can’t stand greens, blueberries are the next best option and they taste great too. The delicious berries can aid your muscle recovery and also sharpen your memory, so you can always find your way back if you head out for a long run! In addition to this, blueberries are potent antioxidants that will protect your skin from free radical damage, even if you just have one handful a day. Bonus!

Another fruit to add to your menu is tomatoes. They are a mood enhancing fruit that will make you feel better no matter what the situation. Tomatoes are full of lycopene and vitamin c which is essential for collagen and skin protection, which is fundamental if you’re n outdoor runner as they will help to protect your skin from all weather conditions. For the best results, eat them raw with a splash of olive oil and black pepper.

Want something naughty? Opt for chocolate. Chocolate can help you keep a cough at bay, which is a godsend if you are training for a marathon and haven’t got time in your training programme for a cold. There is a substance in cocoa that can remedy persistent colds. In fact the National Heart and Lung Institute has revealed that 60% of their patients experience relief after taking this substance, a sweetened bar of chocolate has 150mg of theobromine so get chomping.

And a savoury alternative to chocolate is cheese. Surprisingly, cheese isn’t as bad as we all first thought. It is high in fat, but it is also high in protein and a certain blue-veined cheeses have anti-inflammatory properties. Thank god! I love cheese…